Chapter 6 #2
He sighed and turned towards the window. “You know I can’t do that. I’ve worked exceptionally hard at keeping our identities a secret. I won’t let anyone mess that up for us. Not even you, Princess.”
I swallowed at the lump in my throat. “And if I promised not to tell anyone?” My voice was barely a whisper.
He laughed humourlessly, the sound swallowed up by thunder rolling in the distance. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Grayson was done talking. He turned and walked away, leaving my unspoken doom to linger over me, like thick, suffocating smoke.
The urge to stop him, to get on my knees and beg for my life pressed me.
But I knew. I knew his name. I’ve seen his face.
His voice and smell were carved into my mind and into my nightmares. I knew too much. So, I knew.
But it was my life. I would not let him have dominion over it. He would not dictate when and where it would end. I would fight with everything I had.
By the shadows that lurked around the light of the lantern, I vowed that I would not go down easy.
I remained awake for the rest of the night, listening to the storm die out as I mulled over every possible way to get free from my captors.
There was no way to outfight or outrun them.
So, I had to outsmart them. Playing nice with my captor, seemed like the only option.
I had to win his trust. Maybe even try to befriend him.
I needed to stay vigilant and find a way out of this; find my escape route.
By morning, when the lock slid open, I was ready.
I haven’t felt this clear-headed and determined since being forced into that van. I had a plan, a way forward.
He brought me breakfast, lunch and dinner that day.
I kept quiet for the most part, and so did he.
Begrudgingly, I thanked him for the food and made sure to eat all of it to not offend him again.
When he did speak to me, my replies were short but polite.
I wanted to avoid becoming too friendly too fast. It had to seem like I was warming up to him.
The following day I did the same, all while listening intently for their movements, trying to establish their routine.
By the third day, it was time to kick it up a notch.
Grayson came in with my breakfast on a tray, which he placed next to me on the bed.
I sat up, crossed my legs, and pulled the tray closer while he moved to his usual spot.
The smell of the bacon and eggs made my mouth water. There was a glass of orange juice too.
“A breakfast fit for a princess,” he said sarcastically, as he brought one foot up on the sill, making himself comfortable.
“Why do you insist on calling me that?” I tried to keep my tone as polite as possible. Being nice to this man went against every bone in my body.
“For one, you keep expecting princess treatment from me, even though you are a hostage. And two, I don’t have anything else to call you by.” He looked at me expectantly, annoyance furrowing his brow.
I looked down, taking a bite from a piece of bacon and chewed slowly. I had to bite my tongue and keep the end goal in sight. So, I changed the subject. “So, what do you and your… friends do all day?” My palms were turning sweaty. Did it sound too obvious?
He arched a brow at me. “Why?”
Shrugging, I took another bite of bacon, trying to act nonchalant. “Just wondered if you’re as bored as I am.” I wasn’t bored. In fact, I welcomed boredom. I would love to be bored and not have to worry about staying alive.
He eyed me for a few seconds, contemplating my words. I tried my best to concentrate on chewing, acting like I didn’t notice his accusatory stare. He unnerved me. There was a cunningness behind his eyes. Like he could see right through my bullshit.
Just when I was about to burst, he turned to look out the window, leaning his head against the window frame. “My friends are out hunting. And I had to stay here to babysit.”
My heart fluttered. Was this it? “When will they be back?”
He glanced at me sidelong, suspicious of this line of questioning, once again.
I sighed dramatically. “It’s just… no, never mind.” I shook my head and turned back to my food, moving the eggs around with the fork.
“What?” he demanded, taking the bait.
“No, it’s nothing. You would probably deem it ‘princess treatment’ anyway. It’s fine.” I waved my hand dismissively.
“Just say it,” he demanded again, getting frustrated.
I had to ask now. “Well, I was hoping since no one else is here, you would let me out of the room for a bit? Just for a—”
“Forget about it,” he cut me off.
“Please?” I let the tears surface. It didn’t take much to summon them.
“I’ll do anything. I can clean the cabin or maybe cook dinner for you and your friends.
Please, I’m losing my mind in here.” I scooted closer to him, to the end of the bed.
“I will be good, I promise. I won’t try to run or try anything stupid, I swear.
” I kept eye contact this time and didn’t shy away from his unsettling stare.
Grayson’s eyes bored into mine, trying to find the lie. I struggled not to squirm under his gaze.
“Please,” I whispered again, a last attempt to tip the scale in my favour.
He was on his feet in an instant, moving fast. He had my chin firmly grasped in his hand before I had the good sense to back away.
He pulled my face up to his, where he towered over me, making me strain off the bed.
I had instinctively grabbed hold of his hand with both of mine, but I didn’t try to pull it off my jaw.
I kept as still as I could while he surveyed me.
I had to be smart. I had to keep a clear head.
His eyes moved slowly over my body, then back to my face. “I hope you’re smarter than you look. If you try anything, today will be your last.” He straightened and patted me on the cheek before walking to the door. “And I hope you know how to cook.”
Relief washed through me. He fell for it, but the uneasiness crept up my spine. Was I really going through with it?